New Jersey's 24th Legislative District

Senator Steven Oroho

Sen. Steven Oroho spoke to the New Jersey Realtors about the need to to stop the flow of wealth and jobs out of the state at the 2015 Realtors Day breakfast in Trenton on June 11, 2015. (Facebook)

Sen. Steven Oroho (R-24) was presented the 3rd Annual Alex DeCroce Public Leadership Award by the Morris County Chamber of Commerce on October 16, 2014 for his strong support of the state’s business community. (Facebook)

Sen. Steven Oroho (R-24) was a “celebrity reader” to the preschool children at Project Self-Sufficiency’s Little Sprouts Early Learning Center in Newton, NJ on October 6, 2014. (Photo Gallery)

Sen. Steve Oroho (R-24) spoke about the importance of legislation he sponsors to repeal New Jersey’s death tax at a State House rally sponsored by Americans for Prosperity on September 15, 2014. (Press Release)

Sen. Steve Oroho, Asw. Alison Littell McHose and Asm. Parker Space (all R-24) joined Americans for Prosperity, business organizations and concerned citizens at a State House rally on September 15, 2014 in support of legislation they sponsor to repeal New Jersey’s death tax. (Press Release)

Sen. Steven Oroho (R-24), a member of the Senate Budget & Appropriations Committee, speaking against the FY’15 state budget and tax increases that he said repeat the mistakes of the past. (Press Release)

Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) spoke at a rally in front of the New Jersey State House on June 24, 2014 with Republican legislators and business groups representing thousands of state employers to oppose the Democrats’ proposed tax increases. (Photo Gallery)

Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) had a discussion with state business leaders at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Roundtable on June 17, 2014 about ways to make New Jersey more competitive and stop the migration of businesses and jobs to other states. (Photo Gallery)

Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) had a discussion with state business leaders at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Roundtable on June 17, 2014 about ways to make New Jersey more competitive and stop the migration of businesses and jobs to other states. (Photo Gallery)

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Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho designed to protect and grow the state’s commercial and recreational bee industry was signed into law by Acting Governor Kim Guadagno.

Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho designed to protect and grow the state’s commercial and recreational bee industry was signed into law by Acting Governor Kim Guadagno (SenateNJ.com)

“Bees play a crucial role in the food chain and New Jersey’s agriculture industry as a whole,” said Oroho. “With honey bee populations hit hard by disease in recent years, beekeepers’ efforts to manage and maintain bee populations have become increasingly important. These new laws recognize that importance by making it easier for commercial and hobbyist beekeepers to operate throughout New Jersey.”

One of the bills signed into law today, S-1328/A-1294, extends “Right to Farm” protections to commercial beekeepers to protect them from restrictive municipal ordinances and public and private nuisance complaints. Under the “Right to Farm Act” complaints against agricultural operations are referred to county agricultural boards rather than municipal courts, eliminating the burden of lengthy and expensive litigation.

Sen. Oroho said an expansion of gaming beyond Atlantic City would help boost the state’s horse racing industry and related businesses. (Flickr)

“It’s no secret the equine industry in New Jersey has been struggling as racetracks here have to compete with larger purses in neighboring states that are fueled by casinos,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “To give the breeders, trainers and boarding facilities across New Jersey a fighting chance we have to even the playing field and that starts by opening up gaming across the state. The fact that the announced closure of Showplace Farms came soon after it became clear the legislature had run out of time to put the referendum on the ballot this November should be a wake up call.

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The full Senate adopted legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho supporting the establishment of the first Sussex County-based outpatient medical clinic for veterans.

An outpatient clinic maintained by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (VA)

“Sussex and Warren counties are the only two counties in the state without a veterans’ outpatient clinic and for many veterans living in this area the closest in-state clinic is more than 40 miles away in Morris Plains,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “The lack of access to local medical care for veterans is a major obstacle and a serious concern. Establishing a local clinic in Sussex County will make it far easier for the tens of thousands of veterans living here to get the care that they need and deserve.”

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Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho making it easier for religious, veterans’, civic and charity organizations to hold raffle fundraisers will go to the Governor’s desk for approval after being passed by the full Senate.

Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation making it easier for organizations to hold raffle fundraisers with larger prizes heads to the Governor’s desk after being passed by the Senate. (Flickr)

“Many charity and veterans’ organizations hold raffles to help raise the funds needed to pay for the valuable public services they offer,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “Under New Jersey’s outdated regulations, however, it is nearly impossible to hold a raffle without having to go through the hassle and expense of applying for a special license. Raising the threshold for the types of door prizes that can be offered will go a long way in helping these organizations raise more funds for the programs and services they provide.”

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Senator Steven Oroho (R-24) commented after voting against the Democrats’ proposed state budget for FY 2016 and supporting legislation that would increase state income and business taxes:

Sen. Steven Oroho speaking against proposed income and business tax increases during a Senate floor debate on the FY ’16 state budget. (Facebook)

“Today, I voted against the FY ’16 budget and its tax increases for small businesses, job providers and those already paying the most, as these taxes repeat the mistakes of the past. These job-killing tax increases will repeat what happened in 2004 when taxes on top earners and businesses were raised and over the next years tens of billions of dollars in capital and taxable income that could have been used to fund schools, healthcare or the pension system left the state.

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Legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho making it easier for religious, veterans’, civic and charitable organizations to hold raffle fundraisers was advanced by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Sen. Steven Oroho’s legislation would allow organizations holding raffle fundraisers to offer larger prizes without having to apply for a license. (Flickr)

“Many charity and veterans’ organizations hold raffles to help raise the funds needed to pay for the valuable public services they offer,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “Under New Jersey’s outdated regulations, however, it is nearly impossible to hold a raffle without having to go through the hassle and expense of applying for a special license. Raising the threshold for the types of door prizes that can be offered will go a long way in helping these organizations raise more funds for the programs and services they provide.”

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Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho supporting the establishment of the first Sussex County-based outpatient medical clinic for veterans was advanced today by the Senate Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

“Sussex and Warren counties are the only two counties in the state without a veterans’ outpatient clinic and for many veterans living in this area the closest in-state clinic is more than 40 miles away in Morris Plains,” said Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris). “The lack of a local outpatient clinic is a major obstacle for veterans in this part of the state as it restricts their access to needed medical care. Establishing a local clinic in Sussex County will make it far easier for the tens of thousands of veterans living here to get the care that they need and deserve.”

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Senator Steven Oroho issued the following statement saying any referendum to expand gaming beyond Atlantic City should open the opportunity up to the whole state, not just specifically designated locations:

Sen. Steven Oroho said that any referendum to expand gaming beyond Atlantic City should open the opportunity up to the whole state. (Flickr)

“If gaming is going to be expanded beyond Atlantic City the opportunity should be opened up for the whole state so that entrepreneurs and industry experts can create successful ventures wherever the market will best allow,” said Oroho. “Specifying that any expansion has to occur in one or two specific locations will leave other successful opportunities, revenue and jobs off the table. While I support the idea of a full-scale casino at the Meadowlands, we should also expand gaming opportunities statewide. By creating more opportunities, we will help bring additional needed revenue and jobs to New Jersey while boosting equine, racetrack and tourism industries in communities across New Jersey, and provide additional funding to support essential state services.

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The Senate today passed two pieces of legislation sponsored by Senator Steven Oroho that would expand opportunities for anglers and bow hunters in New Jersey by creating a discounted fishing license and allowing Sunday bow hunting on military installations in New Jersey.

The Senate approved bills sponsored by Sen. Oroho creating a “Fishing Buddy License” and allowing Sunday bow hunting on federal military installations in the state. (NJDFW)

Senator Oroho’s bipartisan S-2567 would create a discounted state “Fishing Buddy License” for anglers who apply for a fishing license along with a second person who hasn’t applied for a New Jersey fishing license since 2010. Under the fishing buddy initiative, fishing licenses for both the experienced “fishing buddy” and the new applicant would be discounted to half price. The bill would also reduce the fee for an “All Around Sportsman License” by $10 for each “fishing buddy.”

“Many visitors and residents don’t realize the amount of fantastic fishing opportunities there are across New Jersey,” said Oroho. “My hope is that with the fishing buddy program more anglers will encourage a friend or family member to try out fishing in New Jersey and more people will have the opportunity to explore the outdoors here. Fishing is also an important part of the economy for the state and many communities and any increase in participation will be a boost to businesses supporting the industry.”

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Legislation sponsored by Senator Steve Oroho (R-Sussex, Warren, Morris) that will expand certain redevelopment programs to all counties in the state has been signed into law by Governor Chris Christie.

A new law sponsored by Sen. Oroho will expand certain redevelopment programs to all counties of the state. (NJRA)

Under Senate Bill 1677, the Department of Community Affairs will be able to designate one municipality per county, with the approval of the NJ Redevelopment Authority board, for inclusion in financing programs administered by the NJRA in counties where no municipality currently meets the technical requirements of a “qualified municipality” yet the need is very pronounced. To qualify, the municipality must rank within the top 20 percent of the Municipal Distress Index.